Vincente Zambada Sentenced Today

Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat

Vicente Zambada receives 15 years, and credit for time served, will be released in three years

Vicente Zambada Niebla stood before the court this morning and speaking to U.S. District Chief Judge Ruben Castillo, he accepted responsibility for “bad decisions” on his part [ noticeably omitting the words his crimes], he apologized. 

He added: “Today I feel I can be a better father, a better husband — I feel I can be a better son, and most of all a better human being.”

Further stating how he still has his family, whom he loves and who the most important thing to him is.

The prosecutor in the El Chapo trial, Amanda Liskman stated how the cooperation from Zambada as “extraordinary”.

"His behavior and attitude was always positive," and the court should be aware of this”

Prosecutors had asked for a 17 year sentence, citing his extraordinary cooperation. Zambada’s attorney asked for 12 years and time served.  In the end the court handed him a 15 year sentence, with credit for time served. 

A reminder; the Flores twins, who comparisons were drawn to Zambada, received 14 years and time served.

In handing down the sentence, Castillo referred to Chicago aldermen who recently called a colleague a rat for wearing a wire, comparing them to organized crime figures.

In reference to El Chapo Castillo said; “As far as I’m concerned you did not sell out El Chapo,” “I think it went the other way around.”

After years of complaint filings and being a pain in the ass, such as filing a complaint because the prison razors were dull causing him rash, he then decided to cooperate. Not before adamantly saying in 2011 that he and other Sinaloa cartel leaders were granted immunity by U.S. agents and the freedom to smuggle cocaine over the border – in exchange for intelligence about rival cartels. Prosecutors denied the claim, saying DEA agents met with Zambada but never entered into such an agreement.

He and his family were placed in the witness protection program. His wife and children were transported to the U.S. and were allowed to keep one million dollars of seized funds.  It has not been reported how much Zambada will receive when he leaves prison.

During the El Chapo trial Zambada was asked if he ever killed anyone, he says although he was asked countless times he never once killed anyone.